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In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This memorable quote was shared by our emcee, Ohavia Phillips, who opened The Renaissance Mentors Event held on September 28th at the Revelry Camp North End. […]
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Three lucky RenWest residents recently got the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in a 3-hour private cooking, learning and dining experience with, esteemed Chef Daina Soto-Sellers at Charlotte’s most highly acclaimed cooking school, Johnson & Wales University. This opportunity was made possible by the generosity of an auction bidder who attended last year’s Renaissance Mentor’s event. Terry Shook […]
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Volunteers from one of our our corporate partner Lowe’s, recently joined RenWest staff and senior adults to replant The Retreat’s, senior residential homes, raised garden beds with colorful blooms to kick off Earth Day. It was so much fun having our Lowe’s Red Vest volunteers on hand to remove weeds, roots and other debris littering the garden. The contained greenspace received […]
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Charlotte, NC April 7, 2023 — Steve Smith, a 16-year NFL superstar, and Kieth Cockrell, the Charlotte President of Bank of America, are pillars in the Charlotte community; tops in their fields; and share a common experience of having overcome adversity-filled childhoods. Most importantly, they share a passion for giving back to the community and […]
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Some 150 community leaders, donors, and guests convened at the Terrace at Cedar Hill on Thursday, Sept. 29 to raise money and celebrate the success of Renaissance West Community Initiative’s work in eradicating intergenerational poverty in our community.
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Governor Roy Cooper joined more than 200 members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the Renaissance West Community Initiative Campus for the Fraternity’s Day of Service as part of its 83rd International Grand Conclave held in Charlotte this year.
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Fifteen years after dropping out of high school, Sierra T. has passed the GED exams, earned her High School Equivalency diploma, and aspires to enroll in college, thanks to the relationship Sierra built with RenWest Community Initiative resource partners and her perseverance and hard work.
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Renaissance West Community Initiative Receives a Donation of $1M from Bank of America The gift recognizes the career of Bank of America executive Andrea B. Smith and her commitment to the Charlotte community. Charlotte, NC, March 29, 2022 – Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) is pleased to announce a $1 million donation from Bank of America to […]
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In late September of 2021, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge visited RenWest and toured the revitalized campus with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. During the visit, HUD Secretary Fudge explored our on-site early learning facility, The Howard Levine Child Development Center (HLCDC), operated by Dixon Academy, established to serve […]
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At Renaissance West, the physical revitalization and wraparound services encourage residents to discover opportunities to advance their livelihood. Former RenWest resident, Timira, recognized such opportunities when she joined the FSS program in 2014 and now embraces her journey in upward mobility. Before arriving at RenWest, Timira was not aware of opportunities such as Inlivian’s FSS […]
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New operator Dixon Academy will oversee management of the center CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 23, 2021) — Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) announced this morning it will reopen the Howard Levine Child Development Center (HLCDC) in the coming months under the management of Dixon Academy, led by Chief Executive Officer Roslyn Dixon who currently owns and […]
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As a community quarterback, we partner with best-in-class agencies to provide access to quality programs and services. Through our partnership with Inlivian, we help deliver RenWest residents the opportunity to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) to help residents achieve social and economic independence. One resident, Nashala, decided to join the program and strive […]
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In September of 2020, we profiled Jaire, a former RWCI resident and rising senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), in our e-newsletter. Before attending college, he interned with Renaissance West STEAM Academy (RWSA) and helped facilitate out-of-school time activities during the summer. Additionally, he dedicated his time to serve as […]
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LOWE’S AND LOWE’S FOUNDATION COMMIT $3 MILLION TO REVITALIZE WEST CHARLOTTE WITH SKILLED TRADES CENTER, CAREER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Multi-year commitment includes collaboration with the Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 20, 2021) — Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) and the Lowe’s Foundation announce today a multi-year commitment to improve economic […]
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RWCI residents remain disproportionately impacted by the public health and racial equity crises. Residents are experiencing high levels of stress and trauma, with their sense of safety diminishing. This is evident in matters of food security, education, and the digital divide, childcare, and employment. Since the pandemic began, the community has faced increases in potential […]
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Engage with Age: A Partnership That’s Inspiring Us All Engage With Age (EWA), a two-year program and partnership between Southminster, UNC Charlotte, and Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI), has helped to promote successful aging and development across the lifespan for seniors living in The Retreat at RWCI. The program is designed to provide engaging activities to […]
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The two senior centers formed a partnership of sorts a few years ago, but it’s taken on a new meaning in recent months. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two retirement communities from very different parts of Charlotte are coming together to help each other get through the pandemic. Many seniors already were facing depression and anxiety before […]
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Michael Mascia with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLC invited RWCI CEO, Mack McDonald to participate in his webcast called, FFF Industry Conversations. Thank you, Michael, for inviting RWCI to share our mission! Click Here to View!
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It’s not every day that you meet someone that truly inspires you, reminds you of what is important in life, and provides a perspective on his/her life that makes you re-vision yours. That is what Kizwunda and her four daughters have done for the RWCI team and community. It is especially inspiring during a time […]
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 29, 2020) — Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) announced today that the organization has received the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designation of an EnVision Center Demonstration site. This designation allows federal partners to bring resources to the local community and assist residents to participate in, contribute to, and benefit […]
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RWCI’s primary service area includes 466 family units. RWCI also serves children and families through its Education Village: The Howard Levine Child Development Center (HLCDC) and Renaissance West STEAM Academy (RWSA). Over half of the children at RWSA and HLCDC live in RWCI’s primary service area. HLCDC is operated by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte […]
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Students in RWCI’s High School Equivalency (HSE) class gathered together virtually to celebrate the end of the semester. Keynote Speaker, Raushawna Price from Eyrie Success, has been an incredible leader throughout this year’s class. Raushawna energy is contagious as she is constantly encouraging and sharing wisdom. In her keynote speech, one piece of advice that she shared was about support systems: “You have […]
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You are the reason that RWCI is providing necessary resources for residents in the neighborhood during the pandemic, while maintaining safety for staff and residents. Thanks to the help of our community partners, residents are receiving essential services and products. Listening to residents and providing support are some of the important ways we can show up in the […]
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Dear Supporters and Partners, As we continue to pivot towards new norms, most of which we hope will be temporary, some of us are struggling with what we are feeling, what we are hearing and what we are seeing. Last week we gave you an update on how Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) was able […]
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Dear Supporters and Partners, It is an understatement that all of us are impacted by the seriousness, complexity and unpredictability being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. None more so than the families we serve at Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI). This letter is to update you on how RWCI is responding to this crisis. The safety […]
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Going back to school for anyone takes determination and courage. Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) is helping residents’ dreams come true by financially supporting RWCI’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Program, (also known as GED,) for the second year in a row. Staying true to the RWCI model, the program is place-based and available to residents 3 nights […]
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RWCI was honored to welcome U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson M.D., to Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) on January 7, 2020. Secretary Carson was hosted by Enlivian, formerly the Charlotte Housing Authority, and Renaissance was chosen as the location for one of his stops and a press conference. Upon his arrival […]
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Like many residents at Renaissance West, Monique is a mother with three sons who moved to Little Rock five years ago after living with her mother. “Working with a Life Navigator” is just one way that she describes how herself and her family have grown since moving to Renaissance West. She loves that her boys […]
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Courtney Baucom, a resident living in The Renaissance West neighborhood was interviewed about her journey from homelessness to home ownership. Since living in the Renaissance, Courtney has increased her access to resources, including new opportunities, and is currently changing her life for the better. Her outlook on life is more positive than ever. She has […]
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Stacey Clark Named by CMS & RWCI as new STEAM Academy Principal Stacey tells us a little about herself…. “Education has always been my passion. For the past 17 years, I worked for CMS at the high school, middle school, elementary school, and alternative school levels. My roles included teacher of English, Title I specialist, […]
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As an under-invested area of Charlotte, it is critically important for RWCI to fill this gap and make vital needs of the community accessible. One way that RWCI makes sure that its 1300+ residents have access to everything they need, (food, health and wellness, after school programming, family programming, financial planning, tax prep, and other […]
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This year, Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) recruited summer interns to help support the organization with data analysis, evaluation, storytelling, social media, and donor relations. This energetic group has jumped right in assisting with corporate volunteer projects, creating our first Instagram account, collecting stories and taking pictures of summer programs, along with writing blog stories […]
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Through a holistic community redevelopment approach, Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI) is increasing food security for over 1300 residents on West Boulevard. Successful engagement by our Life Navigators has led to weekly mobile food markets, drawing a big crowd of residents each week. A mobile food market is one way that RWCI is ensuring that […]
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Join us for breakfast on Thursday, May 16 from 7:45am – 9:00am to benefit Renaissance West Annual Giving. Over 125 guests enjoyed headline speaker Doug Jutte, MD, MPH, Executive Director of the Healthy Places Network and Associate Professor at UC-Berkley on Thursday, May 16, 2019. Read Doug’s bio here. Doug has shared his presentation with […]
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One special focus of this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign at RWCI will be our teachers serving at Renaissance West STEAM Academy (RWSA). Teachers who work each day to help children succeed and reach their potential need a place to rejuvenate during the school day. This year, RWCI wants to provide a space for all teachers […]
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Warren Buffett, co-founder of Purpose Built Communities, reflects Dr. David Williams discussing investing in Early Education Former Atlanta Mayor and Executive Board Chair, Shirley Franklin
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Bank of America Jun 29, 2018 It’s no secret that Charlotte faces a shortage of affordable housing, and that the shortage contributes to inequality, lack of mobility and poor education outcomes. “We have a very large deficit,” says Julie Porter, executive director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, a nonprofit development and financial corporation dedicated to […]
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BOCC Approves Fiscal Year 2019 Operating Budget The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2019 operating budget during its regular meeting Tuesday night. The $1.7-billion budget is an increase of $33 million, or 1.9 percent, over the current Fiscal Year 2018 operating budget. It maintains the County’s commitment to providing critical services […]
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With New Grants, United Way Shifts Focus To Neighborhoods By David Boraks • Jun 7, 2018 United Way of Central Carolinas announced $24.5 million in new grants Thursday, and the list has a different look from years past. The agency is shifting some funding to initiatives to improve economic opportunity and mobility. <img src=”http://wfae.org/sites/wfae/files/styles/default/public/201806/060618RenaissanceWest.jpg” alt=”Renaissance […]
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How hope, dreams are improving Charlotte neighborhood Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis: May 02, 2018 New initiative takes cradle-to-career approach to improving lives in Renaissance West In a cozy room filled with windows, books and cheerful posters, two kindergartners practice letter sounds by playing a picture game on a carpet mat. A few doors down, third-graders […]
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